DNN module development

Question

I have a client with a dnn site. I need to develop a module for this. How can i start? I am using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 now (trial version). I can’t access the source code, just create a new module and install it. What is the best practice for starting such an environment? Another question: if I use a trial version of visual studio, will my module also expire?

Answer 1

• Buy and Read This Book: DotNetNuke Professional Programming

• Go to the DotNetNuke.com download page

• Download Community Edition. Install it on your dev machine, make it work.

• Attach the desktop folder and bin folder (at least) to the source control

• On the download page above, install the Visual Studio Starter Kit

• Restart Visual Studio 2010

• Launch Visual Studio 2010, create a new compiled DNN module project, make sure its location is in the Desktop Modules DNN folder

• Inject some test code

• Install the module in DNN (install the manifest)

• Add the module to the DNN page. Check it out.

• Make updates for your DNN module. You only need to remove and reinstall the module if you add or delete files or change database configuration scripts.

• Create a deployable version of your module. (You are making a zip file or something like that. Just read the book. I always need to go back to this step)

• Practice installing the DNN module on another new installation of the DNN community.

• Once you are sure that it is installed correctly, install the module on the live website (make backups first, just in case)

Answer 2

These materials, especially the video tutorials, can be really useful for you when starting the development of the DNN module: http://www.dotnetnuke.com/Resources/Wiki/Page/Module-Development.aspx They cover every part from installing the DNN module project templates to design and packaging of a custom DNN module.

The answer to your second question is negative, your module will not expire after the VS2010 expires. Another option for you is to use the free express releases of visual studio 2010, for this case Visual Web Developer 2010. You can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010-editions / visual-web-developer-express You won’t be able to use the source control directly from the express version, but you can still use SVN and a client such as TortoiseSVN.